Team Leader - Quality Control

Blue Diamond Growers; Modesto (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Diamond Growers in Modesto, CA seeks a Team Leader - Quality to guide hourly QA staff in implementing food safety and quality systems. You will partner with Quality and plant operations to support goals, ensure audit readiness, and drive continuous improvement.

The role requires a Bachelor's Degree (food science preferred) with QA/QC experience, SQF/PCQI certifications preferred, and strong data analysis skills for process improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred in food science) with 2 years QA/QC experience in manufacturing, or 5 years QA/QC without degree.
• SQF Practitioner and PCQI certifications preferred.
• Experience presenting concepts to employees and customers, and interpreting complex documents clearly.
• Proficient in computer and analytical software; able to apply specification parameters.
• Understanding of food plant sanitation, cleaning, and regulatory compliance.
• Expert knowledge of statistics and SPC.
• Knowledge of USDA Grades and standards for almond industry.
• Strong ability to analyze laboratory reports and data.

Responsibilities

• Lead hourly quality team members in executing food safety and quality systems.
• Collaborate with Quality Manager to establish metrics and reduce complaints.
• Apply problem-solving to maintain process health and root cause analysis.
• Drive continuous improvement across Quality and Operations to reduce complaints.
• Coach staff and manage performance, including counseling and recognitions.
• Ensure staffing plans align with budget and schedule staffing needs.
• Develop and deliver effective employee training programs.
• Assist in customer complaint investigations and report writing.
• Work with Department Manager to plan activities within budget.

Skills

Bachelor's Degree in Food Science

Quality Assurance Experience

SQF Practitioner

PCQI Certification

Communication of concepts to all staff

Statistical methods & SPC

USDA grades knowledge

Laboratory data analysis

Document control

Education

Bachelor's Degree (food science preferred)

Job description

Work Shift: Swing

Pay Type: Salary

Hourly Rate (if applicable): N/A

Targeted Base Salary Range (if applicable): $75,300.00 - $97,700.00

JOB OVERVIEW:

As part of the world's largest almond processing manufacturer, this role will lead hourly quality team members in executing both food safety and quality systems functions. The Team Leader - Quality partners with corporate quality and cross functional plant operations teams to support plant goals, ensure audit readiness, and drive continuous improvements.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborates with Quality Manager to ensure proper metrics and processes are established and executed to reduce complaints and hold product.
• Leverages proper routines as well as problem solving to ensure appropriate attention on shop floor to manage health of processes (food safety and quality) and identify root cause for deviations and process interruptions.
• Drives continuous improvement processes and tools across Quality and Operations team to deliver consistent reduction in complaints (consumer and customer); delivers first time quality targets.
• Coaches the quality and operations team to deliver quality objectives; applies sound motivational and correctional techniques, including employee counseling and disciplinary actions and recognitions for good work.
• Stays abreast of employee contributions and potential growth so that opportunities for greater contributions can be capitalized.
• Ensures proper scheduling to effectively staff the operation as well as appropriately manages time and attendance for the department.
• Contributes to the development of effective employee training programs. Conducts training and promotes continuous learning of staff resulting in a flexible and agile workforce.
• Assists in customer complaint investigations and report writing.
• Works with Department Manager to plan and manage department activities in accordance with budget.
• This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

WHAT YOU NEED

*Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred in food science) and 2 years of quality assurance/quality control experience in a manufacturing environment or 5 years of assurance/quality control experience in a manufacturing environment in lieu of degree
• SQF Practitioner and PCQI Certification preferred

• Experience presenting concepts and ideas to employees at all levels of the organization as well as external customers in business and technical fields.
• Experience writing and interpreting complex documents in a clear and concise manner.
• Proficient use of computer and analytical software. Able to develop, interpret and apply specification parameters.
• Understanding of food plant sanitation programs, including cleaning and sanitizing procedures, hygienic practices, environmental monitoring, and compliance with food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Expert knowledge of statistics and SPC.
• Knowledge of USDA Grades and standards for the almond industry.
• Strong technical background and ability to analyze laboratory reports and technical data.
• Required to keep Quality Assurance documents and specifications current.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This is a standard manufacturing environment with exposure to noise, dust, hazardous materials, and heavy machinery in varying work and weather conditions. You may be required to occasionally climb stairs and/or ladders.

WHY BLUE DIAMOND?

In addition to working at the world's largest, state-of-the-art almond manufacturer, we offer a safe and collaborative team environment, with numerous opportunities for free training and career advancement. Check out the BDG Benefits, Health & Wellness Guide HERE.

Blue Diamond Growers (BDG) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. BDG provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, or genetic information. BDG also complies with all provisions of the U.S. Government's Executive Order 11246 dated September 24, 1965 and the rules, regulations and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor.